A cross-practice, cross-border Hogan Lovells' team has advised Héroux-Devtek Inc. on the US$128 million acquisition of APPH Limited and APPH Wichita, Inc. (together APPH), subsidiaries of BBA Aviation Plc; announced this week. This marks the first time Hogan Lovells has advised this client in Europe.

Héroux-Devtek is a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace products specialising in the design, development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of landing gear systems and components for the Aerospace market. It will acquire four plants from APPH, which specialises in the design, engineering, manufacturing and aftermarket support of landing gear and hydraulic systems and assemblies for fixed and rotary wing civil and military aircraft, both for original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket applications.

The plants, three located in the United Kingdom and one in Wichita, Kansas, have a combined workforce of approximately 400 employees, including a design engineering department staffed with 40 professionals. APPH’s main design programs include landing gear systems for the Hawk, SAAB Gripen, AW101, C27J Spartan and EC175 aircraft.

The Hogan Lovells team advising Héroux-Devtek was led by London corporate partner Richard Ufland, with senior associate Michael Stewart, and partner Stephen Propst and associate Les Reese in Washington D.C. They were supported by IP partner Mark Taylor and associate Matthew Sharkey; tax partner Philip Harle; insurance partner Helen Chapman; and partner Paul Joukador and associate George Jenkins on export control matters (all in London) and by antitrust partner Joe Krauss; environmental partner Latane Montague; employment partner Carin Carithers; and aviation attorneys Kathy Miljanic and Brian Curran (all in Washington). Canadian firm Lavery de Billy LLP also advised.

Commenting on the acquisition, Richard said:

"Héroux-Devtek is the third largest landing gear company worldwide and we are pleased to have advised them on this important strategic acquisition, which is their first in Europe, permitting them to grow their geographical footprint, product content and customer base."